South Africa vs Nigeria: Nelson Mandela Challenge 2013

Tickets for the annual Nelson Mandela Challenge between Bafana Bafana and the current African champions, Nigeria, are now on sale countrywide.

The clash will be played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on 14 August, a few days before the inaugural Mandela Sport and Culture Day on 17 August.

Kick-off is at 20:00. Tickets are selling for R50 and R100 at Computicket and Shoprite/Checkers outlets around the country.

Pooby Govindasamy, SAFA National Executive
“There is no doubt that Moses Mabhida Stadium is Bafana Bafana’s venue. Our team enjoys appearing at this venue and has enormous support in Durban and know people will turn out in droves to support the national team.”

First match

Zambia was the first country to take part in the annual Nelson Mandela Challenge match in 1994, losing 2-1 to Bafana in a thrilling encounter played at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

However, last year, the 2012 champions of Africa, known by their nickname of Chipolopolo, defeated Bafana Bafana 1-0 in front of the home fans at the FNB Stadium.

The Mandela Challenge has been played on an annual basis except in 2001, when it had to be cancelled after Mexico withdrew at the last minute.

Gordon Ingesund, Bafana Bafana coach
We are proud to participate in celebrating Nelson Mandela’s legacy. He has given us so much over the years and we are proud to give back. We’ve got a fantastic day of football; you know I always like to bring the games to my home town, Durban, and we know we are well be supported here.

Challenge record

Bafana have won the Challenge seven times and lost it on eight occasions. Three matches ended in a stalemate, with the last being against Cote d’Ivoire at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth in 2011.

South Africa has faced Nigeria just once in the Nelson Mandela Challenge: in 2004, Bafana Bafana won 2-1 in Johannesburg.

Last year, the tournament returned to Johannesburg for the first time since the 2007 clash between South Africa and the United States of America.

Over the last four years, it was played in Rustenburg (2008), Phokeng near Rustenburg (2009), Cape Town (2010), and Port Elizabeth (2011).

Mayor James Nxumalo:
Sports has proved time and again that it can unite cultures. Durban is like a home to Bafana Bafana and hosted many matches. We welcome the chance to give fans another dose of football following games during the AFCON tournament and Bafana’s run up to the World Cup qualifier against Botswana in December. The support here is second to none and we want to motivate the boys and preserve the legacy of our father Nelson Mandela.